Vol. 345 No. 3
Tá scéala agam ó Cheann Comhairimh Toghcháin an Uachtaráin á chur in iúl dom go ndearna sé, an 21 Deireadh Fómhair, a dhearbhú Pádraig S. Ó hIrighile, Uasal, a bheith tofa ina Uachtarán ar Éirinn.
I have received a communication from the Presidential Returning Officer informing me that he had, on the 21st October, declared Pádraig S. Ó hIrighile to have been elected President of Ireland.
May I be permitted, before going on to the Order of Business, to express my satisfaction at the election of the President, if it is not inappropriate?
It is nice to see a Fianna Fáil man there again.
I should make it clear that the announcement which I have just made is for the information of the House and is not a proper vehicle for statements.
I should have thought so.
To be fair to everybody, the Taoiseach has made a one sentence comment on the matter and the Leader of the Opposition if he wishes to do likewise will, of course, be permitted.
One sentence. On this side of the House we have always indicated that it was our wish that Dr. Patrick Hillery, who has in our view served his first term as President with such distinction, should continue in the office of President for a second term and we are very glad that this is now about to happen and we wish the President well and every success in his second term of office. Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.
With less inhibitions than I, the Leader of the Opposition expressed my views more fully.
